Partnerships for Continuing Education and Enrollment Expansion

by Angela Britcher
January 5, 2024
Partnerships for Continuing Education and Enrollment Expansion

Partnering with corporations, governments, and organizations can expand enrollment for universities with microcredentialing and continuing education programs. Learn more from two success stories.

The role of partnerships is becoming increasingly pivotal, providing institutions unique opportunities to thrive in an era of constant change. Two notable voices in the field, Marc Austin, Dean of Online Learning at Augusta Online, and Kim McNutt, Dean of Continuing Education at CAL State Dominguez Hills, exemplify the transformative impact that collaborative initiatives can have on continuing education and enrollment expansion.

Micro-credentialing: A Stepping Stone to Success

Dean Marc Austin is a firm advocate for the strategic use of micro-credentialing to cater to the specific needs of both learners and organizations. “Through micro-credentialing is certainly one. Through stackable micro-credentialing, which is even better, it stacks into a degree, and then through degrees itself,” notes Austin. This approach allows learners to acquire targeted skills and seamlessly build toward a comprehensive degree over time.

Hear more about Augusta Online’s successful online expansion on the DigitalEDU Dialogues podcast.

Listening and Collaborating for Success

Augusta Online’s collaboration with the US Army exemplifies creating a tailored continuing education program. Recognizing the military’s expansive workforce with constant training needs, Augusta Online took a consultative approach. “It’s never a good idea to go into any organization and say, ‘I’ve got the certificate for you,'” Austin emphasizes. “Let’s figure out what your pain points are and build around that,” he adds, showcasing the effectiveness of a collaborative, needs-based strategy in developing both microcredentials and degrees.

Innovation Amidst Challenges: The OTIEC Program

Kim McNutt’s partnership with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a testament to the adaptability and resilience partnerships can bring, particularly during challenging times. Partnering with OSHA for the OTIEC program, CAL State Dominguez Hills successfully expanded its offering during the COVID shutdown. The school’s existing program moved to a virtual meeting format. It was so successful that the program built on its online success during COVID and transitioned from emergency learning to a robust multi-modality approach, ensuring continuity in education.

Listen to the full interview with Kim McNutt on the DigitalEDU Dialogues podcast.

“We proved the concept with OSHA,” says McNutt, highlighting the success of their collaborative effort. Even post-COVID, CAL State Dominguez Hills continues to offer the course in dual-modality, accommodating both in-person and virtual attendance. McNutt emphasizes the importance of providing options to students: “You learn better face-to-face. You can’t make it to face-to-face class. You can only do this program if it’s online. If you have options, it opens it up to more learners and learners that would really benefit from these programs.”

A Collaborative Future in Education

Collaborative partnerships are crucial to success as schools look to combat falling enrollment. The experiences of Dean Marc Austin and Kim McNutt underscore the importance of understanding the unique needs of learners and organizations. By adopting a consultative and collaborative approach, institutions can create tailored solutions that address immediate challenges and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.

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Angela Britcher

Angela Britcher is an instructional designer and content creator with The Babb Group. She is also an adjunct professor of business and communications.
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